EP0572032A2 - Ink jet recording method - Google Patents
Ink jet recording method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0572032A2 EP0572032A2 EP19930108684 EP93108684A EP0572032A2 EP 0572032 A2 EP0572032 A2 EP 0572032A2 EP 19930108684 EP19930108684 EP 19930108684 EP 93108684 A EP93108684 A EP 93108684A EP 0572032 A2 EP0572032 A2 EP 0572032A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- heating resistor
- recording head
- ink jet
- jet recording
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 26
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 229910001413 alkali metal ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- -1 hydrogen ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 26
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 229910052741 iridium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910052715 tantalum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 claims description 6
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- 229910052762 osmium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052703 rhodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 162
- 230000020169 heat generation Effects 0.000 description 32
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- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
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- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 9
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- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 229910052681 coesite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 229910052906 cristobalite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- XIXADJRWDQXREU-UHFFFAOYSA-M lithium acetate Chemical compound [Li+].CC([O-])=O XIXADJRWDQXREU-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 7
- 229910052682 stishovite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 229910052905 tridymite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 6
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- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- WOCIAKWEIIZHES-UHFFFAOYSA-N ruthenium(iv) oxide Chemical compound O=[Ru]=O WOCIAKWEIIZHES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- USFZMSVCRYTOJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium acetate Chemical compound N.CC(O)=O USFZMSVCRYTOJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- GSEJCLTVZPLZKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Triethanolamine Chemical compound OCCN(CCO)CCO GSEJCLTVZPLZKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 3
- IXCSERBJSXMMFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydrogen chloride Substances Cl.Cl IXCSERBJSXMMFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910000041 hydrogen chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910000575 Ir alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910004479 Ta2N Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- HPNMFZURTQLUMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylamine Chemical compound CCNCC HPNMFZURTQLUMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004453 electron probe microanalysis Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
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- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000011259 mixed solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002120 photoresistant polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000001020 plasma etching Methods 0.000 description 2
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- GMMAPXRGRVJYJY-UHFFFAOYSA-J tetrasodium 4-acetamido-5-hydroxy-6-[[7-sulfonato-4-[(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenyl]naphthalen-1-yl]diazenyl]naphthalene-1,7-disulfonate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].OC1=C2C(NC(=O)C)=CC=C(S([O-])(=O)=O)C2=CC(S([O-])(=O)=O)=C1N=NC(C1=CC(=CC=C11)S([O-])(=O)=O)=CC=C1N=NC1=CC=C(S([O-])(=O)=O)C=C1 GMMAPXRGRVJYJY-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 2
- VZSRBBMJRBPUNF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-ylamino)-N-[3-oxo-3-(2,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-yl)propyl]pyrimidine-5-carboxamide Chemical compound C1C(CC2=CC=CC=C12)NC1=NC=C(C=N1)C(=O)NCCC(N1CC2=C(CC1)NN=N2)=O VZSRBBMJRBPUNF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000005695 Ammonium acetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910003862 HfB2 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052581 Si3N4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003723 Smelting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000980 acid dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000019257 ammonium acetate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229940043376 ammonium acetate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000012709 brilliant black BN Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000005587 bubbling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010292 electrical insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- AEDZKIACDBYJLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethane-1,2-diol;hydrate Chemical compound O.OCCO AEDZKIACDBYJLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- GPRLSGONYQIRFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydron Chemical compound [H+] GPRLSGONYQIRFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000010365 information processing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910003465 moissanite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003472 neutralizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000011056 potassium acetate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001632 sodium acetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000017281 sodium acetate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- RPACBEVZENYWOL-XFULWGLBSA-M sodium;(2r)-2-[6-(4-chlorophenoxy)hexyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate Chemical compound [Na+].C=1C=C(Cl)C=CC=1OCCCCCC[C@]1(C(=O)[O-])CO1 RPACBEVZENYWOL-XFULWGLBSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005477 sputtering target Methods 0.000 description 1
- PBCFLUZVCVVTBY-UHFFFAOYSA-N tantalum pentoxide Inorganic materials O=[Ta](=O)O[Ta](=O)=O PBCFLUZVCVVTBY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BZJNMKDNHPKBHE-UHFFFAOYSA-J tetrasodium 3-amino-5-oxido-7-sulfo-6-[[7-sulfonato-4-[(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenyl]naphthalen-1-yl]diazenyl]naphthalene-2-sulfonate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)C=1C=C2C=C(S([O-])(=O)=O)C(N)=CC2=C(O)C=1N=NC(C1=CC(=CC=C11)S([O-])(=O)=O)=CC=C1N=NC1=CC=C(S([O-])(=O)=O)C=C1 BZJNMKDNHPKBHE-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001771 vacuum deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
- B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
- B41J2/1631—Manufacturing processes photolithography
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
- B41J2/14016—Structure of bubble jet print heads
- B41J2/14088—Structure of heating means
- B41J2/14112—Resistive element
- B41J2/14129—Layer structure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
- B41J2/1601—Production of bubble jet print heads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/16—Production of nozzles
- B41J2/1621—Manufacturing processes
- B41J2/1626—Manufacturing processes etching
- B41J2/1628—Manufacturing processes etching dry etching
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
- B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
- B41J2202/03—Specific materials used
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ink jet recording method using an ink jet system in which bubbles are grown in liquid for recording or ink by using thermal energy generated by electric current feed so as to eject the ink and more particularly to an ink jet recording method which consumes very little electricity in the whole circuit and results in very little losses of electric power, and which has a good responsibility to an input signal.
- the ink jet system has become of major interest lately, because it can print out at high speed and high density and because it is suitable to a color and/or compact system.
- a heating portion which allows heat to act on the liquid in order to eject liquid for recording such as ink by using thermal energy.
- the heating portion includes a heating resistor, and is similar in construction to a so-called conventional thermal head.
- the ink jet system is very different from the conventional thermal head in the following points.
- the heating portion directly contacts the ink.
- the heating portion is mechanically shocked by cavitation erosion due to the repetition of the growth and collapse of the bubbles.
- the heating portion is placed under severe conditions of the repetition of sudden elevation or sudden drop in temperature around 100°C within a short period from zero point and several micro seconds to several micro seconds.
- a first layer is formed on the heating resistor of the heating portion, the first layer consisting of materials such as SiO2, SiC, Si3N4 and so on.
- the first layer serves to the electrical insulation for the heating resistor and prevents it from the oxidation thereof.
- a second layer is formed on the first layer and consists of a material such as Ta.
- the conventional ink jet recording head has the heating resistor of the heating portion which is protected by the above layers from use environment.
- Ta2O5 is generally used as a material of a wear resistant layer of the thermal head, but it does not have always resistivity against the cavitation erosion.
- materials such as Ta, Ti and alloy including them are conventionally used as ones having strong resistivity against the cavitation erosion.
- the publication relates to a liquid injection recording head. It has been desired to allow thermal energy to act on the ink as efficient and fast as possible in order to elevate the responsibility to the input signal and to reduce power consumption in the heating portion.
- a different type of recording head having a structure such that a heating resistor directly contacts an ink (hereinafter abbreviated as a passivation free type) is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 126462/1980.
- This type of the recording head is superior to the former in thermal efficiency.
- the heating resistor of the passivation free type recording head is exposed to not only the cavitation erosion and the sudden elevation and drop in temperature but also to the electrochemical reaction which causes by passing a current through an ink having electrically conductivity.
- Ta-based alloy is proposed as a material of a heating resistor for the passivation free ink jet recording head, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open No. 96971/1984.
- the above described ink jet recording head having the protective coat is available for practical use in consideration of the durability and the change of resistance. However, it is very difficult to avoid completely the occurrence of defects during the formation of the protective coat. These defects become the major factor that drops yield in mass production. Recently, in the tendency of requirement for high speed recording and high density of information to be recorded and of increasing the number of nozzles per a recording head, these problems become greater.
- the power consumption increases as a whole, and the change of temperature of the whole head becomes greater on driving.
- the change of temperature of the head causes the change of volume of the ejected liquid, thus producing unevenness of density on a recorded image.
- the volume of ejected liquid becomes larger, the density of pixel on a medium becomes higher.
- the volume of ejected liquid becomes smaller, the density of pixel on a medium becomes lower.
- an ink jet recording head is practical as a head which is useful in an ink jet recording method, in which the heating resistor thereof directly contacts the ink and in which the thermal efficiency in the heating portion is superior to the conventional ones and is independent from the defects of the protective coat.
- the heating resistor is exposed to not only the cavitation erosion and the sudden elevation and drop in temperature, but also the electrochemical reaction.
- the conventional heating resistor which consists of materials such as Ta2N, RuO2 or HfB2
- Materials having resistivity against the cavitation erosion described in the Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 43315/1984 can be effective only when they are used as the protective coat described above. However, they do not have enough durability when used as a material for a heating resistor for the passivation free type of the ink jet recording head.
- the stability of ejection of ink is essential to record at a high definition and high quality.
- the resistance variation of the heating resistor is small, preferably less than 5% in practice use.
- Ta-based alloy as described in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open No. 96971/1984, for example is used as a heating resistor of the passivation free type recording head, the alloy has relatively good durability in that the heating resistor does not break.
- Ta or Ta-Al alloy varies its value of resistor to the extent of 7 to 10% during the repetition of the growth and collapse of bubbles, thus any alloys are not satisfied in practice use.
- the ratio M of the bubbling threshold voltage (Vth) to the applied pulse voltage (Vbreak) at which the resistor may break is in the range of from 1.3 to 1.4, and thus the thermal stability of them is not so good, there is a problem that the life of resistor greatly decreases by only a small amount of increase of a driving voltage (Vop).
- the passivation free type heating resistor is formed by any one of the conventional materials, none of such materials satisfy all of mechanical durability against the cavitation erosion, electrochemical stability, stability of resistance, heat resisting oxidation, heat resisting smelting and heat resisting shock.
- the alloy which has one of Ta, Ir, or Al, Ta and Ir as a principal component is superior as a heating element of a passivation free type of an ink jet system.
- Japanese Patent Application No. 503976/1990 discloses Al-Ta-Ir alloy as materials for a heating resistor.
- Japanese Patent Application No. 503977/1990 discloses Ta-Ir alloy as materials for a heating resistor.
- a passivation free type ink jet recording head having high durability may be prepared by these alloy materials.
- an ink jet recording head is driven at a high voltage and at a low current by using the heating resistor with high resistance.
- the driving voltage is high, the ink jet recording head is exposed under more severe conditions. It has been found that sufficient durability of the alloy material cannot be obtained under such a severe condition even if the above alloy material is used.
- non aqueous ink having small electric conductivity can be used, it is possible to reduce the above electrochemical reaction.
- An example of the non aqueous ink is one that an oil soluble dye is resolved into a liquid medium including organic solvent as a main component.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording method in which a passivation free type ink jet recording head is safely driven at a relative high voltage for a long period by utilizing the merits of the head and the water system ink.
- an ink jet recording method comprising the steps of: contacting directly an ink with a heating resistor; generating thermal energy by feeding electric current to the heating resistor; growing bubbles of the ink by the thermal energy from the heating resistor to eject the ink grown in bubble shape; and performing a recording by using the ink ejected; wherein the ink contains alkali metal ion whose concentration is equal to or less than 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l.
- the heating resistor may include at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt.
- the heating resistor may include at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ir and Pt, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta.
- the ink substantially may include at least one kind of cations selected from the first group consisting of hydrogen ions (hydronium ions), ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions and heterocyclic ammonium ions, and wherein the concentration of another kind of cations, which are different from the cations included in the first group, is equal to or less than 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l.
- the ink may include water as one of a main part of the ink.
- the alloy material may be produced by using the conventional method such as a sputtering method and a vacuum deposition method.
- Fig. 1A is a partial sectional front view showing an ejection hole of an ink jet recording head which can be used in an embodiment of an ink jet recording method according to the present invention
- Fig. 1B is a partial sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 1A
- Fig. 2A is a partial plan view showing an electrothermal transducer of the ink jet recording head shown in Fig. 1A
- Fig. 2B is a partial plan view showing a layer for protecting an electrode, the layer formed on the electrothermal transducer shown in Fig. 2A
- FIGs. 1A and 1B an example of fabricating method of the ink jet recording head applicable to the present invention is outlined below.
- reference numeral 1 is a substrate which is made of silicon and so on.
- a lower layer 2 is formed on the surface of the substrate 1 by using thermal oxidation method.
- the lower layer 2 is made of, for example, silicon dioxide.
- the substrate 1 having the lower layer 2 serves as a support member of an electrothermal transducer which will be described later.
- a heat generation resistance layer 3 is formed on the lower layer 2 by spattering method using Ta target and Ir target.
- An electrode layer is formed on the heat generation resistance layer 3 by changing Au target to Ta and Ir targets during the spattering step which is continuous from the previous step.
- a photo resist layer having a designated shape is formed on the electrode layer by photo-lithography technology.
- electrodes 4 and 5 are formed by patterning the above electrode layer. The patterning includes dry etching.
- Another photo-resist having a designated shape is formed on the electrodes 4 and 5 and heat generation resistance layer 3 by photo-lithography technology.
- the heat generation resistance layer 3 is subjected to patterning such as dry etching using ion milling.
- An electrothermal transducer is defined by the heat generation resistance layer 3 and the electrodes 4 and 5.
- An electrode protection layer 6 is formed by spattering so as to cover at least the electrodes 4 and 5 of the electrothermal transducer.
- the electrode protection layer 6 is made of, for example, silicon dioxide.
- the electrode protection layer 6 is shaped in a designated pattern by photo-lithography technology and reactive ion etching.
- a member 7 is bonded onto the substrate 1 having a multi-layer structure as described above.
- the member 7 has a channel to be used as a fluid route to be described later. With this structure, a fluid route 10 is formed in a space defined between the substrate 1 and the member 7.
- the fluid route 10 serves to lead ink fluids from an ink tank (not shown) to a heating portion 8 formed as a part of the electrothermal transducer and lead ink fluids from the heating portion 8 to an orifice 9 driven by the pressure wave due to voids generated by thermal energy generated by the heating portion 8.
- the electrothermal transducer has the electrodes 4 and 5, and a heat generation part of the heat generation resistance layer 3, the heat generation part being a resistor defined between these electrodes 4 and 5.
- a base body of the ink jet recording head is defined by a support member, the above electrothermal transducer and the protection layer 6, the support member including the substrate 1 and the lower layer 2.
- the heating portion 8 for transmitting thermal energy to ink fluids is a part of the heat generation part which is not covered by the protection layer 6.
- the lower part 2 is arranged, if necessary, and serves to control the quantity of heat to be transferred to the substrate 1 and transfer heat generated at the heat generation part efficiently to the ink fluids.
- the electrodes 4 and 5 are used for supplying the electric power to the heat generation resistance layer 3 in order to generate heat from the heat generation part.
- the electrode 4 is a common electrode to be connected to each of the heat generation parts
- the electrode 5 is a selective electrode to be connected to a designated individual heat generation part.
- the electrode protection layer 6 is used for preventing the electrodes 4 and 5 from being damaged chemically by ink fluids and for keeping electric insulation between adjacent electrodes.
- the thickness of the heat generation resistance layer 3 of this embodiment can be determined optimally so that thermal energy may be obtained effectively at desirable conditions with respect to voltage and electric current applied to the electrodes, and in a preferable case, its value is defined between 100 ⁇ and 20,000 ⁇ , and in a more preferable case, its value is defined between 200 ⁇ and 5,000 ⁇ .
- the electrothermal transducer in the ink jet recording head applicable to the present invention, its structure is not limited to that shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B but allowed to have various modifications. What is basically acceptable and applicable to the present invention is the structure in which the ink fluid to be ejected from the orifice of the ink jet recording head and the electrothermal transducer are directly contacted to each other.
- the electrodes 4 and 5 patterned in a designated shape are directly formed below the lower part layer 2 on the silicon substrate 1. In this modification shown in Fig.
- the heat generation resistance layer 3 is formed above these electrodes 4 and 5 and the lower part layer 2 developed between these electrodes.
- the electrodes 4 and 5 are covered by the heat generation resistance layer 3, and accordingly each of the electrode protection layers 6 shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B is not necessary.
- the positioning of the electrothermal transducer relative to the orifice 9 and the fluid route 10 in the ink jet recording head applicable to the present invention is not limited to the example of the structure shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B.
- the direction in which ink fluids are supplied toward the heating part 8 and the direction in which ink is ejected are not limited to be parallel to each other as shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, but it is allowed that the direction in which ink fluids are supplied and the direction in which ink drops are ejected may be selected so as to intersect each other in an arbitrary angle, especially, perpendicularly.
- Reference numeral 11 in Figs. 4A and 4B is an orifice plate having the orifice 9 with an adequate thickness, and a component 12 is a support wall for supporting the orifice plate.
- a plurality of ink ejection units each composed of an orifice, a fluid route and a heating portion, may be arranged for forming a single recording head as shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 4A and 4B.
- a plurality of ink ejection units may be arranged along the whole range of recording region corresponding to the width of the recording medium.
- the component of ink fluids used in the ink jet recording head of the present invention for example, it is possible to use water-based solution and recording toner such as dyer solved in it.
- Solution can be selected to be various kinds of organic solvent as well as water.
- alkaline metals such as Li+, Na+ and K+ is 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l or less, and preferably 2 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l or less.
- recording toner such as dyer containing ions in a certain degree.
- recording toner such as dyer containing ions
- materials for recording dissolved in a solvent involving water as its major component may include a dye body having anionic radicals such as -SO3 ⁇ and -COO ⁇ , and its counter ion selected from the group consisting of hydrogen ions (hydronuim ions), ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions or heterocyclic ammonium ions, and their combinations thereof.
- a dye body may include cationic ions such as ammonium radicals and its counter ion may be -NO3 ⁇ and -HSO4 ⁇ and so on.
- the additional agent used may be electrolyte, but it is referable not to use the agent including alkaline metal ions and it is necessary of the cationic radicals to include hydrogen ion and various kinds of ammonium ions.
- the alloy material including Ta and Ir or the alloy material including Al, Ta and Ir are good for a component of the heat generation resistance in the passivation free type ink jet recording head.
- the alloy material including at least one element of Ru, Ir and Pt and at least one element of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ga, Ze, Nb, Hf and Ta has good mechanical durability measured in terms of cavitation erosion resistivity, electro-chemical stability and heat resistance property in order to form a passivation free heat generation resistance.
- a passivation free type ink jet recording head which can be used in a practical field can be obtained under the condition if the driving voltage to the recording head is relatively low.
- driving the recording head in higher voltage and lower current by making higher the resistance of the heat generation resistance with respect to pushing down the cost of drive IC's and reducing the power loss in the electric wiring as ultimate goals.
- electro-chemical reaction occurs under a severe condition and as a result, it is found that enough durability of the recording head even composed of the above mentioned materials may not be obtained.
- the inventors of the present invention conclude that the major factor for reducing the durability of the recording head is electro-chemical damage on the negative electrode of the heat generation resistance (heater) by experimental observation and consideration, and that this damage is higher in case of using ink fluids including alkaline metal ions such as Li+ and Na+, and finally found that the durability of the recording head will be attained by reducing the density of alkaline metal ions in the ink fluids. Furthermore, it is proved that positive ions such as hydrogen ions, ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions, and heterocyclic ammonium ions even staying in the ink fluids affect hardly any damage on the negative electrode.
- the passivation free type ink jet recording head having a heat generation resistance composed of the above described alloy materials and using water-based ink fluid including little amount of alkaline metal ions what can be obtained is a recording method which brings higher thermal efficiency, input signal responsibility, and higher safety and reliability, and even enough durability of the recording head even if driving the recording head in higher voltage applied between electrodes of the heat generation resistance.
- the recording head can be more durable in case of driving the recording head in an ordinary voltage used in the conventional recording head.
- the present invention achieves distinct effect when applied to a recording head or a recording apparatus which has means for generating thermal energy such as electrothermal transducers or laser light, and which causes changes in ink by the thermal energy so as to eject ink. This is because such a system can achieve a high density and high resolution recording.
- the on-demand type apparatus has electrothermal transducers, each disposed on a sheet or liquid passage that retains liquid (ink), and operates as follows: first, one or more drive signals are applied to the electrothermal transducers to cause thermal energy corresponding to recording information; second, the thermal energy induces sudden temperature rise that exceeds the nucleate boiling so as to cause the film boiling on heating portions of the recording head; and third, bubbles are grown in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signals. By using the growth and collapse of the bubbles, the ink is expelled from at least one of the ink ejection orifices of the head to form one or more ink drops.
- the drive signal in the form of a pulse is preferable because the growth and collapse of the bubbles can be achieved instantaneously and suitably by this form of drive signal.
- a drive signal in the form of a pulse those described in U.S. patent Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are preferable.
- the rate of temperature rise of the heating portions described in U.S. patent No. 4,313,124 be adopted to achieve better recording.
- U.S. patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 disclose the following structure of a recording head, which is incorporated to the present invention: this structure includes heating portions disposed on bent portions in addition to a combination of the ejection orifices, liquid passages and the electrothermal transducers disclosed in the above patents. Moreover, the present invention can be applied to structures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 123670/1984 and 138461/1984 in order to achieve similar effects.
- the former discloses a structure in which a slit common to all the electrothermal transducers is used as ejection orifices of the electrothermal transducers, and the latter discloses a structure in which openings for absorbing pressure waves caused by thermal energy are formed corresponding to the ejection orifices.
- the present invention can be also applied to a so-called full-line type recording head whose length equals the maximum length across a recording medium.
- a recording head may consists of a plurality of recording heads combined together, or one integrally arranged recording head.
- the present invention can be applied to various serial type recording heads: a recording head fixed to the main assembly of a recording apparatus; a conveniently replaceable chip type recording head which, when loaded on the main assembly of a recording apparatus, is electrically connected to the main assembly, and is supplied with ink therefrom; and a cartridge type recording head integrally including an ink reservoir.
- a recovery system or a preliminary auxiliary system for a recording head as a constituent of the recording apparatus because they serve to make the effect of the present invention more reliable.
- the recovery system are a capping means and a cleaning means for the recording head, and a pressure or suction means for the recording head.
- the preliminary auxiliary system are a preliminary heating means utilizing electrothermal transducers or a combination of other heater elements and the electrothermal transducers, and a means for carrying out preliminary ejection of ink independently of the ejection for recording. These systems are effective for reliable recording.
- the number and type of recording heads to be mounted on a recording apparatus can be also changed. For example, only one recording head corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads corresponding to a plurality of inks different in color or concentration can be used.
- the present invention can be effectively applied to an apparatus having at least one of the monochromatic, multi-color and full-color modes.
- the monochromatic mode performs recording by using only one major color such as black.
- the multi-color mode carries out recording by using different color inks, and the full-color mode performs recording by color mixing.
- inks that are liquid when the recording signal is applied can be used: for example, inks can be employed that solidify at a temperature lower than the room temperature and are softened or liquefied in the room temperature. This is because in the ink jet system, the ink is generally temperature adjusted in a range of 30°C - 70°C so that the viscosity of the ink is maintained at such a value that the ink can be ejected reliably.
- the present invention can be applied to such apparatus where the ink is liquefied just before the ejection by the thermal energy as follows so that the ink is expelled from the orifices in the liquid state, and then begins to solidify on hitting the recording medium, thereby preventing the ink evaporation: the ink is transformed from solid to liquid state by positively utilizing the thermal energy which would otherwise cause the temperature rise; or the ink, which is dry when left in air, is liquefied in response to the thermal energy of the recording signal.
- the ink may be retained in recesses or through holes formed in a porous sheet as liquid or solid substances so that the ink faces the electrothermal transducers as described in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 56847/1979 or 71260/1985.
- the present invention is most effective when it uses the film boiling phenomenon to expel the ink.
- the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention can be employed not only as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, but also as an output device of a copying machine including a reader, and as an output device of a facsimile apparatus having a transmission and receiving function.
- a silicon substrate as a support member was subjected to thermal oxidation, and the SiO2 layer having a thickness 2.5 ⁇ m was formed as a lower part layer.
- the support member on which the SiO2 layer is formed was installed in the high-frequency spattering apparatus (for example, CFS-8EP, Tokuda Seisakusho Co., Japan), and the heat generation resistance layer having a thickness about 1000 ⁇ was formed on the SiO2 layer by spattering process in the following condition using Ta target having purity 99.9 weight% or more and Ir sheet having the same purity placed on Ta target;
- Target Area Ratio Ta:Ir 68:32, Target Area 5 inch ⁇ , High-Frequency Power 500W, Temperature on Substrate 50°C, Development Time 12min, and Argon Gas Pressure 0.4Pa.
- the Ta target was replaced to Au target, and Au layer having 600 ⁇ in thickness is formed by spattering method.
- thermo resist was formed twice in a designated pattern, respectively, in which Au layer is subjected to dry etching at first and the heat generation resistance layer was subjected to dry etching with ion milling. So far, the heat generation resistance layer 3 and the electrodes 4 and 5 were formed as shown in Figs. 1B and 2A.
- the size of the heat generation resistance part was 30 ⁇ m ⁇ 170 ⁇ m, and the pitch between adjacent heat generation resistance parts is 125 ⁇ m, and 24 heat generation resistance parts are arranged in a one-dimensional array.
- Another SiO2 layer was further developed on the surface of these heat generation resistance parts by spattering, and this SiO2 layer was shaped in a pattern by photo-lithography technology and reactive ion etching process so that the pattern of the shaped SiO2 layer may cover the both ends of the heat generation part in 10 ⁇ m and the electrodes. Therefore, the finished size of the heating portion was 30 ⁇ m ⁇ 150 ⁇ m in dimensions.
- a grass board having a channel was bonded on the substrate and finally the ink jet recording head was completed.
- a plurality of recording heads fabricated in the above described process were tested and estimated with ink fluids to be described later.
- a dye of CI Food Black 1 (Na salt) designated FB1Na in the followings was commercially available.
- the FB1Na is dissolved in water to obtain a 10% solution thereof.
- a solution of hydrogen chloride was added to the solution containing FB1Na until pH of the mixed solution reaches 1 or less, and thereby separating a solid component from the mixed solution.
- the solid component of the solution was subjected to the repetition of (a) concentration by centrifugal separation and (b) washing with a solution of hydrogen chloride. The repetition was continued until Na in the dye was finally replaced for H to remove completely Na from the dye.
- the composition of the heating element at a thermal active portion was obtained by an EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analysis, Shimazu Seisakusho Co., EPM-810) method.
- the ink jet head was fabricated in a manner similar to the embodiment 1. Further, like assessment was performed by using the same ink as one embodiment 1.
- CI Food Black 2 Na salts
- diethylamine instead of triethanolamine
- the ink containing amine compound dye was prepared.
- the ejection durability examination and the print grade was assessed by using this ink and the ink jet recording head similar to any one of the embodiments 1-1 to 9.
- FB2Na combined with diethylamine is defined as FB2DEA.
- the ink of the section 2) of the embodiment 1-1 was prepared by dissolving ammonium acetate into the same solvent composition until the concentration of the ink becomes 0.1 mol/l.
- the ejection durability examination was performed by using this ink (hereinafter referred to as AcONH4) and the ink jet recording head of the embodiment 1-1.
- ink of the embodiment 1-1 instead of using the ink of the embodiment 1-1, three kinds of ink were prepared by dissolving lithium acetate (hereinafter referred to as AcOLi), sodium acetate (hereinafter referred to as AcONa), and potassium acetate (hereinafter referred to as AcOK) into the same solvent composition, respectively, until the concentration o each of the ink becomes 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l.
- the ejection durability examination were performed by using these ink and the ink jet recording heads of the embodiment 1-1.
- ink of the embodiment 1-1 instead of the ink of the embodiment 1-1, three kinds of ink were prepared by dissolving AcOLi, AcONa, and AcOK into the same solvent composition, respectively, until the concentration of each of the ink becomes 2 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l. The ejection durability examination were performed by using these ink and the ink jet recording heads of the embodiment 1-1.
- the ink was prepared only by using the solvent composition which does not contain amine and the ink dye of the embodiment 1-1. Then, the ejection durability examination was performed by this ink and the head of the embodiment 1-1.
- the improved ink jet recording method which excels in the thermal efficiency, the stability of a signal and the safety, and which has enough durability.
- An ink directly contacts a heating resistor(3) which constructs a portion of an electrothermal transducer.
- the ink is ejected from orifices by using thermal energy generated by supplying an electric current to the heating resistor(3).
- the concentration of alkali metal ion is equal to or less than 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 3 mol/l.
- the direction of supplying the ink to the heating resistor(3) and that of ink ejection may be either parallel to or orthogonal to each other.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method using an ink jet system in which bubbles are grown in liquid for recording or ink by using thermal energy generated by electric current feed so as to eject the ink and more particularly to an ink jet recording method which consumes very little electricity in the whole circuit and results in very little losses of electric power, and which has a good responsibility to an input signal.
- The ink jet system has become of major interest lately, because it can print out at high speed and high density and because it is suitable to a color and/or compact system. In this system, there is a heating portion which allows heat to act on the liquid in order to eject liquid for recording such as ink by using thermal energy. The heating portion includes a heating resistor, and is similar in construction to a so-called conventional thermal head.
- However, the ink jet system is very different from the conventional thermal head in the following points. First, the heating portion directly contacts the ink. Second, the heating portion is mechanically shocked by cavitation erosion due to the repetition of the growth and collapse of the bubbles. Third, the heating portion is placed under severe conditions of the repetition of sudden elevation or sudden drop in temperature around 100°C within a short period from zero point and several micro seconds to several micro seconds.
- In the conventional ink jet recording head, a first layer is formed on the heating resistor of the heating portion, the first layer consisting of materials such as SiO₂, SiC, Si₃N₄ and so on. The first layer serves to the electrical insulation for the heating resistor and prevents it from the oxidation thereof. A second layer is formed on the first layer and consists of a material such as Ta. Generally, the conventional ink jet recording head has the heating resistor of the heating portion which is protected by the above layers from use environment.
- On the other hand, Ta₂O₅ is generally used as a material of a wear resistant layer of the thermal head, but it does not have always resistivity against the cavitation erosion. As disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 43315/1984, materials such as Ta, Ti and alloy including them are conventionally used as ones having strong resistivity against the cavitation erosion. The publication relates to a liquid injection recording head. It has been desired to allow thermal energy to act on the ink as efficient and fast as possible in order to elevate the responsibility to the input signal and to reduce power consumption in the heating portion. Therefore, besides the recording head having such a protective coat, a different type of recording head having a structure such that a heating resistor directly contacts an ink (hereinafter abbreviated as a passivation free type) is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 126462/1980. This type of the recording head is superior to the former in thermal efficiency. However, the heating resistor of the passivation free type recording head is exposed to not only the cavitation erosion and the sudden elevation and drop in temperature but also to the electrochemical reaction which causes by passing a current through an ink having electrically conductivity.
- In order to solve the above problems, a variety of metals, alloys, metallic compounds, cermets, in addition to Ta₂N and RuO₂ are known as a material for the heating resistor of the conventional recording head. However, any materials described above do not have enough durability and stability to requirement. Ta-based alloy is proposed as a material of a heating resistor for the passivation free ink jet recording head, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open No. 96971/1984.
- The above described ink jet recording head having the protective coat is available for practical use in consideration of the durability and the change of resistance. However, it is very difficult to avoid completely the occurrence of defects during the formation of the protective coat. These defects become the major factor that drops yield in mass production. Recently, in the tendency of requirement for high speed recording and high density of information to be recorded and of increasing the number of nozzles per a recording head, these problems become greater.
- When the efficiency of thermal conductivity from the heating resistor to the ink is low, the power consumption increases as a whole, and the change of temperature of the whole head becomes greater on driving. The change of temperature of the head causes the change of volume of the ejected liquid, thus producing unevenness of density on a recorded image. In other words, when the volume of ejected liquid becomes larger, the density of pixel on a medium becomes higher. Conversely, the volume of ejected liquid becomes smaller, the density of pixel on a medium becomes lower.
- Further, when increasing the number of ejection per unit time in order to record at a high speed, the power consumption at the head increases, and the unevenness of density of image becomes more remarkable. This is one of problems to be solved, because it goes against the requirement for high quality of the recorded image.
- In order to such problems, it is desired that an ink jet recording head is practical as a head which is useful in an ink jet recording method, in which the heating resistor thereof directly contacts the ink and in which the thermal efficiency in the heating portion is superior to the conventional ones and is independent from the defects of the protective coat.
- As described above, in the passivation free type ink jet recording head, the heating resistor is exposed to not only the cavitation erosion and the sudden elevation and drop in temperature, but also the electrochemical reaction. In the conventional heating resistor which consists of materials such as Ta₂N, RuO₂ or HfB₂, there are problems in durability that it is easy to be mechanically broken, corroded or resolved. Materials having resistivity against the cavitation erosion described in the Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 43315/1984 can be effective only when they are used as the protective coat described above. However, they do not have enough durability when used as a material for a heating resistor for the passivation free type of the ink jet recording head. The stability of ejection of ink is essential to record at a high definition and high quality. Therefore, it is desirable that the resistance variation of the heating resistor is small, preferably less than 5% in practice use. When Ta-based alloy as described in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open No. 96971/1984, for example, is used as a heating resistor of the passivation free type recording head, the alloy has relatively good durability in that the heating resistor does not break.
- However, Ta or Ta-Al alloy varies its value of resistor to the extent of 7 to 10% during the repetition of the growth and collapse of bubbles, thus any alloys are not satisfied in practice use.
- In addition, the ratio M of the bubbling threshold voltage (Vth) to the applied pulse voltage (Vbreak) at which the resistor may break is in the range of from 1.3 to 1.4, and thus the thermal stability of them is not so good, there is a problem that the life of resistor greatly decreases by only a small amount of increase of a driving voltage (Vop).
- As described above, when the passivation free type heating resistor is formed by any one of the conventional materials, none of such materials satisfy all of mechanical durability against the cavitation erosion, electrochemical stability, stability of resistance, heat resisting oxidation, heat resisting smelting and heat resisting shock.
- The inventors found that the alloy which has one of Ta, Ir, or Al, Ta and Ir as a principal component is superior as a heating element of a passivation free type of an ink jet system. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 503976/1990 (WO 90/09887) discloses Al-Ta-Ir alloy as materials for a heating resistor. Japanese Patent Application No. 503977/1990 (WO 90/09888) discloses Ta-Ir alloy as materials for a heating resistor. A passivation free type ink jet recording head having high durability may be prepared by these alloy materials.
- On the one hand, it is however necessary to lower the cost of an integrated circuit or IC for driving and to reduce the power loss in a line. In order to achieve the above object, it is desired that an ink jet recording head is driven at a high voltage and at a low current by using the heating resistor with high resistance. In such a case, since the driving voltage is high, the ink jet recording head is exposed under more severe conditions. It has been found that sufficient durability of the alloy material cannot be obtained under such a severe condition even if the above alloy material is used.
- With respect to the ink, if non aqueous ink having small electric conductivity can be used, it is possible to reduce the above electrochemical reaction. An example of the non aqueous ink is one that an oil soluble dye is resolved into a liquid medium including organic solvent as a main component.
- However, in general, there is a problem in that a few oil soluble dye is superior in solubility and stability to the liquid medium, wear-resistance and light-resistance and hardly any oil soluble dyes are inferior to a water-based ink in consideration of safety and so on.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording method in which a passivation free type ink jet recording head is safely driven at a relative high voltage for a long period by utilizing the merits of the head and the water system ink.
- There is provided an ink jet recording method comprising the steps of: contacting directly an ink with a heating resistor; generating thermal energy by feeding electric current to the heating resistor; growing bubbles of the ink by the thermal energy from the heating resistor to eject the ink grown in bubble shape; and performing a recording by using the ink ejected; wherein the ink contains alkali metal ion whose concentration is equal to or less than 5×10⁻³ mol/l.
- Here, the heating resistor may include at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt.
- The heating resistor may include at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ir and Pt, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta.
- The ink substantially may include at least one kind of cations selected from the first group consisting of hydrogen ions (hydronium ions), ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions and heterocyclic ammonium ions, and wherein the concentration of another kind of cations, which are different from the cations included in the first group, is equal to or less than 5×10⁻³ mol/l.
- Here, the ink may include water as one of a main part of the ink.
- The alloy material may be produced by using the conventional method such as a sputtering method and a vacuum deposition method.
- The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- Fig. 1A is a partial sectional front view showing an ejection hole of an ink jet recording head which can be used in an embodiment of an ink jet recording method according to the present invention;
- Fig. 1B is a partial sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 1A;
- Fig. 2A is a partial plan view showing an electrothermal transducer of the ink jet recording head shown in Fig 1;
- Fig. 2B is a partial plan view showing a layer for protecting an electrode, the layer being formed on the electrothermal transducer shown in Fig. 2A;
- Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view showing a main portion of electrothermal transducer of an ink jet recording head which can be used in another embodiment of an ink jet recording method according to the present invention;
- Fig. 4A is a plan view showing an ejection hole of an ink jet recording head which can be used in another embodiment of an ink jet recording method according to the present invention; and
- Fig. 4B is a partial sectional view taken along the line Y-Y of Fig. 4A.
- Fig. 1A is a partial sectional front view showing an ejection hole of an ink jet recording head which can be used in an embodiment of an ink jet recording method according to the present invention, and Fig. 1B is a partial sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 1A. Fig. 2A is a partial plan view showing an electrothermal transducer of the ink jet recording head shown in Fig. 1A, and Fig. 2B is a partial plan view showing a layer for protecting an electrode, the layer formed on the electrothermal transducer shown in Fig. 2A
- At first, by referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, an example of fabricating method of the ink jet recording head applicable to the present invention is outlined below. In Figs. 1A and 1B,
reference numeral 1 is a substrate which is made of silicon and so on. Alower layer 2 is formed on the surface of thesubstrate 1 by using thermal oxidation method. Thelower layer 2 is made of, for example, silicon dioxide. Thesubstrate 1 having thelower layer 2 serves as a support member of an electrothermal transducer which will be described later. A heatgeneration resistance layer 3 is formed on thelower layer 2 by spattering method using Ta target and Ir target. An electrode layer is formed on the heatgeneration resistance layer 3 by changing Au target to Ta and Ir targets during the spattering step which is continuous from the previous step. A photo resist layer having a designated shape is formed on the electrode layer by photo-lithography technology. As shown in Figs. 1B and 2A,electrodes electrodes generation resistance layer 3 by photo-lithography technology. As shown in Fig. 1A, the heatgeneration resistance layer 3 is subjected to patterning such as dry etching using ion milling. An electrothermal transducer is defined by the heatgeneration resistance layer 3 and theelectrodes electrode protection layer 6 is formed by spattering so as to cover at least theelectrodes electrode protection layer 6 is made of, for example, silicon dioxide. Theelectrode protection layer 6 is shaped in a designated pattern by photo-lithography technology and reactive ion etching. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, amember 7 is bonded onto thesubstrate 1 having a multi-layer structure as described above. Themember 7 has a channel to be used as a fluid route to be described later. With this structure, afluid route 10 is formed in a space defined between thesubstrate 1 and themember 7. Thefluid route 10 serves to lead ink fluids from an ink tank (not shown) to aheating portion 8 formed as a part of the electrothermal transducer and lead ink fluids from theheating portion 8 to anorifice 9 driven by the pressure wave due to voids generated by thermal energy generated by theheating portion 8. - In this embodiment, the electrothermal transducer has the
electrodes generation resistance layer 3, the heat generation part being a resistor defined between theseelectrodes protection layer 6, the support member including thesubstrate 1 and thelower layer 2. Theheating portion 8 for transmitting thermal energy to ink fluids is a part of the heat generation part which is not covered by theprotection layer 6. Thelower part 2 is arranged, if necessary, and serves to control the quantity of heat to be transferred to thesubstrate 1 and transfer heat generated at the heat generation part efficiently to the ink fluids. Theelectrodes generation resistance layer 3 in order to generate heat from the heat generation part. In this embodiment, theelectrode 4 is a common electrode to be connected to each of the heat generation parts, and theelectrode 5 is a selective electrode to be connected to a designated individual heat generation part. Theelectrode protection layer 6 is used for preventing theelectrodes generation resistance layer 3 of this embodiment can be determined optimally so that thermal energy may be obtained effectively at desirable conditions with respect to voltage and electric current applied to the electrodes, and in a preferable case, its value is defined between 100Å and 20,000Å, and in a more preferable case, its value is defined between 200Å and 5,000Å. - As for the electrothermal transducer in the ink jet recording head applicable to the present invention, its structure is not limited to that shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B but allowed to have various modifications. What is basically acceptable and applicable to the present invention is the structure in which the ink fluid to be ejected from the orifice of the ink jet recording head and the electrothermal transducer are directly contacted to each other. For example, referring to the structure of the electrothermal transducer of the ink jet recording head as shown in Fig. 3, the
electrodes lower part layer 2 on thesilicon substrate 1. In this modification shown in Fig. 3, the heatgeneration resistance layer 3 is formed above theseelectrodes lower part layer 2 developed between these electrodes. In such a structure as shown in Fig. 3, theelectrodes generation resistance layer 3, and accordingly each of theelectrode protection layers 6 shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B is not necessary. - The positioning of the electrothermal transducer relative to the
orifice 9 and thefluid route 10 in the ink jet recording head applicable to the present invention is not limited to the example of the structure shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. The direction in which ink fluids are supplied toward theheating part 8 and the direction in which ink is ejected are not limited to be parallel to each other as shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, but it is allowed that the direction in which ink fluids are supplied and the direction in which ink drops are ejected may be selected so as to intersect each other in an arbitrary angle, especially, perpendicularly.Reference numeral 11 in Figs. 4A and 4B is an orifice plate having theorifice 9 with an adequate thickness, and acomponent 12 is a support wall for supporting the orifice plate. - It is allowed that a plurality of ink ejection units, each composed of an orifice, a fluid route and a heating portion, may be arranged for forming a single recording head as shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 4A and 4B. For example, a plurality of ink ejection units may be arranged along the whole range of recording region corresponding to the width of the recording medium.
- As for the component of ink fluids used in the ink jet recording head of the present invention, for example, it is possible to use water-based solution and recording toner such as dyer solved in it. Solution can be selected to be various kinds of organic solvent as well as water.
- In addition, it may be allowed to use additional agent as well as recording toner. However, it is necessary to maintain the ion density of alkaline metals such as Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ is 5×10⁻³ mol/l or less, and preferably 2×10⁻³ mol/l or less.
- In case of using water-based ink fluids, it is effective to use recording toner such as dyer containing ions in a certain degree. In such a case, it is preferable to use either of hydrogen ions, ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions, heterocyclic ammonium ions, or their compounds.
- More specifically, materials for recording dissolved in a solvent involving water as its major component may include a dye body having anionic radicals such as -SO³⁻ and -COO⁻, and its counter ion selected from the group consisting of hydrogen ions (hydronuim ions), ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions or heterocyclic ammonium ions, and their combinations thereof. In contrast, a dye body may include cationic ions such as ammonium radicals and its counter ion may be -NO³⁻ and -HSO⁴⁻ and so on.
- It is allowed that the additional agent used may be electrolyte, but it is referable not to use the agent including alkaline metal ions and it is necessary of the cationic radicals to include hydrogen ion and various kinds of ammonium ions.
- The inventors of the present invention found that the alloy material including Ta and Ir or the alloy material including Al, Ta and Ir are good for a component of the heat generation resistance in the passivation free type ink jet recording head. In the continuous research after this conclusion, what we have found is that the alloy material including at least one element of Ru, Ir and Pt and at least one element of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ga, Ze, Nb, Hf and Ta has good mechanical durability measured in terms of cavitation erosion resistivity, electro-chemical stability and heat resistance property in order to form a passivation free heat generation resistance. By means of using these materials for forming the heat generation resistance, a passivation free type ink jet recording head which can be used in a practical field can be obtained under the condition if the driving voltage to the recording head is relatively low. However, there are such requirements as driving the recording head in higher voltage and lower current by making higher the resistance of the heat generation resistance with respect to pushing down the cost of drive IC's and reducing the power loss in the electric wiring as ultimate goals. So far, in case of using a passivation free type recording head and driving the recording head in higher voltage, electro-chemical reaction occurs under a severe condition and as a result, it is found that enough durability of the recording head even composed of the above mentioned materials may not be obtained. The inventors of the present invention conclude that the major factor for reducing the durability of the recording head is electro-chemical damage on the negative electrode of the heat generation resistance (heater) by experimental observation and consideration, and that this damage is higher in case of using ink fluids including alkaline metal ions such as Li⁺ and Na⁺, and finally found that the durability of the recording head will be attained by reducing the density of alkaline metal ions in the ink fluids. Furthermore, it is proved that positive ions such as hydrogen ions, ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions, and heterocyclic ammonium ions even staying in the ink fluids affect hardly any damage on the negative electrode. Therefore, by using the passivation free type ink jet recording head having a heat generation resistance composed of the above described alloy materials and using water-based ink fluid including little amount of alkaline metal ions, what can be obtained is a recording method which brings higher thermal efficiency, input signal responsibility, and higher safety and reliability, and even enough durability of the recording head even if driving the recording head in higher voltage applied between electrodes of the heat generation resistance. The recording head can be more durable in case of driving the recording head in an ordinary voltage used in the conventional recording head.
- The present invention achieves distinct effect when applied to a recording head or a recording apparatus which has means for generating thermal energy such as electrothermal transducers or laser light, and which causes changes in ink by the thermal energy so as to eject ink. This is because such a system can achieve a high density and high resolution recording.
- A typical structure and operational principle thereof is disclosed in U.S. patent Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796, and it is preferable to use this basic principle to implement such a system. Although this system can be applied either to on-demand type or continuous type ink jet recording systems, it is particularly suitable for the on-demand type apparatus. This is because the on-demand type apparatus has electrothermal transducers, each disposed on a sheet or liquid passage that retains liquid (ink), and operates as follows: first, one or more drive signals are applied to the electrothermal transducers to cause thermal energy corresponding to recording information; second, the thermal energy induces sudden temperature rise that exceeds the nucleate boiling so as to cause the film boiling on heating portions of the recording head; and third, bubbles are grown in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signals. By using the growth and collapse of the bubbles, the ink is expelled from at least one of the ink ejection orifices of the head to form one or more ink drops. The drive signal in the form of a pulse is preferable because the growth and collapse of the bubbles can be achieved instantaneously and suitably by this form of drive signal. As a drive signal in the form of a pulse, those described in U.S. patent Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are preferable. In addition, it is preferable that the rate of temperature rise of the heating portions described in U.S. patent No. 4,313,124 be adopted to achieve better recording.
- U.S. patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 disclose the following structure of a recording head, which is incorporated to the present invention: this structure includes heating portions disposed on bent portions in addition to a combination of the ejection orifices, liquid passages and the electrothermal transducers disclosed in the above patents. Moreover, the present invention can be applied to structures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 123670/1984 and 138461/1984 in order to achieve similar effects. The former discloses a structure in which a slit common to all the electrothermal transducers is used as ejection orifices of the electrothermal transducers, and the latter discloses a structure in which openings for absorbing pressure waves caused by thermal energy are formed corresponding to the ejection orifices. Thus, irrespective of the type of the recording head, the present invention can achieve recording positively and effectively.
- The present invention can be also applied to a so-called full-line type recording head whose length equals the maximum length across a recording medium. Such a recording head may consists of a plurality of recording heads combined together, or one integrally arranged recording head.
- In addition, the present invention can be applied to various serial type recording heads: a recording head fixed to the main assembly of a recording apparatus; a conveniently replaceable chip type recording head which, when loaded on the main assembly of a recording apparatus, is electrically connected to the main assembly, and is supplied with ink therefrom; and a cartridge type recording head integrally including an ink reservoir.
- It is further preferable to add a recovery system, or a preliminary auxiliary system for a recording head as a constituent of the recording apparatus because they serve to make the effect of the present invention more reliable. As examples of the recovery system, are a capping means and a cleaning means for the recording head, and a pressure or suction means for the recording head. As examples of the preliminary auxiliary system, are a preliminary heating means utilizing electrothermal transducers or a combination of other heater elements and the electrothermal transducers, and a means for carrying out preliminary ejection of ink independently of the ejection for recording. These systems are effective for reliable recording.
- The number and type of recording heads to be mounted on a recording apparatus can be also changed. For example, only one recording head corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads corresponding to a plurality of inks different in color or concentration can be used. In other words, the present invention can be effectively applied to an apparatus having at least one of the monochromatic, multi-color and full-color modes. Here, the monochromatic mode performs recording by using only one major color such as black. The multi-color mode carries out recording by using different color inks, and the full-color mode performs recording by color mixing.
- Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments use liquid ink, inks that are liquid when the recording signal is applied can be used: for example, inks can be employed that solidify at a temperature lower than the room temperature and are softened or liquefied in the room temperature. This is because in the ink jet system, the ink is generally temperature adjusted in a range of 30°C - 70°C so that the viscosity of the ink is maintained at such a value that the ink can be ejected reliably.
- In addition, the present invention can be applied to such apparatus where the ink is liquefied just before the ejection by the thermal energy as follows so that the ink is expelled from the orifices in the liquid state, and then begins to solidify on hitting the recording medium, thereby preventing the ink evaporation: the ink is transformed from solid to liquid state by positively utilizing the thermal energy which would otherwise cause the temperature rise; or the ink, which is dry when left in air, is liquefied in response to the thermal energy of the recording signal. In such cases, the ink may be retained in recesses or through holes formed in a porous sheet as liquid or solid substances so that the ink faces the electrothermal transducers as described in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 56847/1979 or 71260/1985. The present invention is most effective when it uses the film boiling phenomenon to expel the ink.
- Furthermore, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention can be employed not only as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, but also as an output device of a copying machine including a reader, and as an output device of a facsimile apparatus having a transmission and receiving function.
- Now, referring embodiments, the present invention will be more fully described.
- At first, a silicon substrate as a support member was subjected to thermal oxidation, and the SiO₂ layer having a thickness 2.5µm was formed as a lower part layer. Next, the support member on which the SiO₂ layer is formed was installed in the high-frequency spattering apparatus (for example, CFS-8EP, Tokuda Seisakusho Co., Japan), and the heat generation resistance layer having a thickness about 1000Å was formed on the SiO₂ layer by spattering process in the following condition using Ta target having purity 99.9 weight% or more and Ir sheet having the same purity placed on Ta target;
- Target Area Ratio Ta:Ir = 68:32,
Target Area 5 inch⌀,
High-Frequency Power 500W,
Temperature on Substrate 50°C,
Development Time 12min, and
Argon Gas Pressure 0.4Pa. - Next, the Ta target was replaced to Au target, and Au layer having 600Å in thickness is formed by spattering method.
- After the spattering step, by photo-lithography technology, photo resist was formed twice in a designated pattern, respectively, in which Au layer is subjected to dry etching at first and the heat generation resistance layer was subjected to dry etching with ion milling. So far, the heat
generation resistance layer 3 and theelectrodes orifice 9 and thefluid route 10 shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, a grass board having a channel was bonded on the substrate and finally the ink jet recording head was completed. A plurality of recording heads fabricated in the above described process were tested and estimated with ink fluids to be described later. - A dye of CI Food Black 1 (Na salt) designated FB1Na in the followings was commercially available. The FB1Na is dissolved in water to obtain a 10% solution thereof. A solution of hydrogen chloride was added to the solution containing FB1Na until pH of the mixed solution reaches 1 or less, and thereby separating a solid component from the mixed solution. The solid component of the solution was subjected to the repetition of (a) concentration by centrifugal separation and (b) washing with a solution of hydrogen chloride. The repetition was continued until Na in the dye was finally replaced for H to remove completely Na from the dye.
- Then, the dye was subjected to reducing pressure, drying and caking to remove an excess of HCl, and thereby obtaining acid type dye of
Food Black 1. 10% aqueous solution of this acid type dye was prepared. The pH of the solution was about 1.4. This aqueous solution (hereinafter referred to as FB2H) was neutralized by adding 10% aqueous solution of triethanolamine thereto, thus preparing the solution so as to be aboutpH 7. Diethylene glycol and water was added to the aqueous solution so as to satisfy the following conditions:
the composition of solvent water/diethylene glycol=7/3; and
the concentration of dye 0.03mol/l. Here, Na⁺ concentration of the thus obtained ink was less than 10 ppm (4.3×10⁻⁶ mol/l). - In the previous section 1), before the grooved plate made of glass is bonded, the composition of the heating element at a thermal active portion was obtained by an EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analysis, Shimazu Seisakusho Co., EPM-810) method.
- By supplying ink of the previous section 2) into a
fluid route 10, and applying rectangular pulse voltage with 7 µ seconds width and the frequency of 2 kHz from the external power supply to theelectrodes heating portion 8 breaks and the ejection stops was measured by applying pulses with a voltage of 1.2 Vth and continuously ejecting. - After providing the head of the section 1) to the conventional recording apparatus and printing characters by using the ink of the section 2), the resultant print was assessed with the eyes. The results were listed in Tables 1, 2, 3a and 3b, along with the results of the following embodiments and examples of comparison.
- Except that the area ratio of each of raw materials of sputtering targets had been changed variously according to Table 1 when forming the materials of heat resister, the ink jet head was fabricated in a manner similar to the
embodiment 1. Further, like assessment was performed by using the same ink as oneembodiment 1. -
- In the preparation of the ink of the section 2) of the embodiment 1-1, CI Food Black 2 (Na salts) (hereinafter referred to as a FB2Na) was used instead of FB1Na dye, and diethylamine instead of triethanolamine. As a result, the ink containing amine compound dye was prepared. The ejection durability examination and the print grade was assessed by using this ink and the ink jet recording head similar to any one of the embodiments 1-1 to 9. Here, FB2Na combined with diethylamine is defined as FB2DEA.
- In the section 2-b) of the embodiment 1-1, like ink was prepared by acid dye (FB1H) obtained before neutralizing with triethanolamine. Then, like ejection durability examination and like print grade was assessed by this ink and the head made in the embodiment 1-1.
- Instead of the ink of the section 2) of the embodiment 1-1, it was prepared by dissolving ammonium acetate into the same solvent composition until the concentration of the ink becomes 0.1 mol/l. The ejection durability examination was performed by using this ink (hereinafter referred to as AcONH₄) and the ink jet recording head of the embodiment 1-1.
- Instead of using the ink of the embodiment 1-1, three kinds of ink were prepared by dissolving lithium acetate (hereinafter referred to as AcOLi), sodium acetate (hereinafter referred to as AcONa), and potassium acetate (hereinafter referred to as AcOK) into the same solvent composition, respectively, until the concentration o each of the ink becomes 5×10⁻³ mol/l. The ejection durability examination were performed by using these ink and the ink jet recording heads of the embodiment 1-1.
- Instead of the ink of the embodiment 1-1, three kinds of ink were prepared by dissolving AcOLi, AcONa, and AcOK into the same solvent composition, respectively, until the concentration of each of the ink becomes 2×10⁻³ mol/l. The ejection durability examination were performed by using these ink and the ink jet recording heads of the embodiment 1-1.
- The ink was prepared only by using the solvent composition which does not contain amine and the ink dye of the embodiment 1-1. Then, the ejection durability examination was performed by this ink and the head of the embodiment 1-1.
- They were obtained under the same condition as those of the embodiments 1-1 to 1-9 except that the ink using FB1Na itself as dye was used.
- They were obtained under the same conditions as those of the embodiments 1-1 to 1-9 except that the ink using FB2Na itself as dye was used.
- Three kinds of ink were prepared by dissolving AcOLi, AcONa, and AcOK into the same solvent composition, respectively, until the concentration of the each of the ink becomes 0.1 mol/l. The ejection durability examination were performed by using these ink and the ink jet recording heads of the embodiment 1-1.
- Three kinds of ink were prepared by dissolving AcOLi, AcONa, and AcOK into the same solvent composition, respectively, until the concentration of the each of the ink becomes 0.01 mol/l.
Table 1 No. of Embodiment Target Ratio Composition of Ink heating resistor Ink Ejection Durability Print Grade 1-1 Ta68-Ir32 Ta40- Ir60 FB1TEA 10< very good 2 Al37-Ir63 Al 8-Ir92 " 10< " 3 Ti53-Ir47 Ti23-Ir77 " 10< " 4 Cr61-Ir39 Cr32-Ir68 " 10< " 5 Ta37-Pt63 Ta38-Pt62 " 8.0 " 6 Cr72-Ru28 Cr60-Ru40 " 10< " 7 Al43-Ta25-Ir32 Al13-Ta31-Ir56 " 10< " 8 Ti39-Ta20-Ir41 Ti14-Ta18-Ir68 " 10< " 9 Cr62-Ru13-Ir25 Cr45-Ru17-Ir38 " 10< " - The number of the column of the Ejection Durability is described by using the ratio when the value of the comparison example 1-1 is numeral 1.
Table 2 No. of Embodiment Composition of heating resistor Ink Ejection Durability Print Grade 2 - 1 same as 1-1 FB2DEA 10< very good 2 same as 1-2 " 10< " 3 same as 1-3 " 10< " 4 same as 1-4 " 10< " 5 same as 1-5 " 7.0 " 6 same as 1-6 " 10< " 7 same as 1-7 " 10< " 8 same as 1-8 " 10< " 9 same as 1-9 " 10< " 3 same as 1-1 FB1H 10< good 4 same as 1-1 AcONH₄ 0.1 10< 5 - 1 same as 1-1 AcOLi 5×10⁻³ 4.0 2 same as 1-1 AcONa 5×10⁻³ 3.0 3 same as 1-1 AcOK 5×10⁻³ 3.0 6 - 1 same as 1-1 AcOL 2×10⁻³ 10< 2 same as 1-1 AcONa 2×10⁻³ 8.0 3 same as 1-1 AcOK 2×10⁻³ 8.0 7 same as 1-1 Just solvent 10< Table 3a No. of Embodiment Composition of heating resistor Ink Ejection Durability Print Grade 1 - 1 same as 1-1 FB1Na 1.0 very good 2 same as 1-2 " 0.9 " 3 same as 1-3 " 1.3 " 4 same as 1-4 " 1.2 " 5 same as 1-5 " 0.7 " 6 same as 1-6 " 1.5 " 7 same as 1-7 " 1.4 " 8 same as 1-8 " 1.2 " 9 same as 1-9 " 1.0 " 2 - 1 same as 1-1 FB2Na 1.0 " 2 same as 1-2 " 0.9 " 3 same as 1-3 " 1.2 " 4 same as 1-4 " 1.1 " 5 same as 1-5 " 0.7 " 6 same as 1-6 " 1.3 " 7 same as 1-7 " 1.4 " 8 same as 1-8 " 1.2 " 9 same as 1-9 " 1.1 " Table 3b No. of Embodiment Composition of heating resistor Ink Ejection Durability 3 - 1 same as 1-1 AcOLi 0.1 0.3 2 " AcONa 0.1 0.2 3 " AcOK 0.1 0.2 4 1 " AcOLI 0.01 1.0 2 " AcOLI 0.01 0.8 3 " AcOLI 0.01 0.7 - As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the improved ink jet recording method which excels in the thermal efficiency, the stability of a signal and the safety, and which has enough durability.
- The present invention has been described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments, and it will now be that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and it is the intention, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
- An ink directly contacts a heating resistor(3) which constructs a portion of an electrothermal transducer. The ink is ejected from orifices by using thermal energy generated by supplying an electric current to the heating resistor(3). The concentration of alkali metal ion is equal to or less than 5×10⁻³ mol/l. The direction of supplying the ink to the heating resistor(3) and that of ink ejection may be either parallel to or orthogonal to each other.
Claims (5)
- An ink jet recording method, characterized by comprising the steps of:
contacting directly an ink with a heating resistor;
generating thermal energy by feeding electric current to said heating resistor;
growing bubbles of said ink by the thermal energy from the said heating resistor to eject said ink grown in bubble shape; and
performing a recording by using said ink ejected;
wherein said ink contains alkali metal ion whose concentration is equal to or less than 5×10⁻³ mol/l. - A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said heating resistor includes at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said heating resistor includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ir and Pt, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said ink substantially includes at least one kind of cations selected from the first group consisting of hydrogen ions (hydronium ions), ammonium ions, aliphatic ammonium ions and heterocyclic ammonium ions, and wherein the concentration of another kind of cations, which are different from said cations included in said first group, is equal to or less than 5×10⁻³ mol/l.
- A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said ink includes water as one of a main part of said ink.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP13917192A JPH05331394A (en) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-05-29 | Ink-jet recording method |
JP139171/92 | 1992-05-29 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP0572032A2 true EP0572032A2 (en) | 1993-12-01 |
EP0572032A3 EP0572032A3 (en) | 1994-03-23 |
EP0572032B1 EP0572032B1 (en) | 1996-09-18 |
Family
ID=15239236
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP19930108684 Expired - Lifetime EP0572032B1 (en) | 1992-05-29 | 1993-05-28 | Ink jet recording method |
Country Status (5)
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US (1) | US6252617B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP0572032B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH05331394A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE142947T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69304793T2 (en) |
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EP0732416B1 (en) * | 1995-03-15 | 2004-02-25 | National Research Institute For Metals | Refractory superalloys |
US7402467B1 (en) * | 1999-03-26 | 2008-07-22 | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. | Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device |
US6786575B2 (en) * | 2002-12-17 | 2004-09-07 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Ink jet heater chip and method therefor |
WO2018188806A1 (en) | 2017-04-13 | 2018-10-18 | Memjet Technology Limited | Low toxicity ink formulations with improved printhead lifetime |
JP7346847B2 (en) * | 2019-02-28 | 2023-09-20 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Droplet discharge device |
Citations (3)
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JPS55126462A (en) * | 1979-03-23 | 1980-09-30 | Canon Inc | Recording head |
JPS56155263A (en) * | 1980-05-06 | 1981-12-01 | Canon Inc | Recording liquid |
EP0428730A1 (en) * | 1989-02-28 | 1991-05-29 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet head having heat-generating resistor constituted of non-monocrystalline substance containing iridium, tantalum and aluminum, and ink jet device equipped with said head |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA1127227A (en) | 1977-10-03 | 1982-07-06 | Ichiro Endo | Liquid jet recording process and apparatus therefor |
JPS5936879B2 (en) | 1977-10-14 | 1984-09-06 | キヤノン株式会社 | Thermal transfer recording medium |
US4330787A (en) | 1978-10-31 | 1982-05-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid jet recording device |
US4345262A (en) | 1979-02-19 | 1982-08-17 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet recording method |
US4463359A (en) | 1979-04-02 | 1984-07-31 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Droplet generating method and apparatus thereof |
US4558333A (en) | 1981-07-09 | 1985-12-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid jet recording head |
JPS5943315A (en) | 1982-09-03 | 1984-03-10 | Nissan Shatai Co Ltd | Attachment structure of liquid amount measuring vertical gauge to tank |
JPS5996971A (en) | 1982-11-26 | 1984-06-04 | Canon Inc | Liquid injection recorder |
JPS59123670A (en) | 1982-12-28 | 1984-07-17 | Canon Inc | Ink jet head |
JPS59138461A (en) | 1983-01-28 | 1984-08-08 | Canon Inc | Liquid jet recording apparatus |
JPS6071260A (en) | 1983-09-28 | 1985-04-23 | Erumu:Kk | Recorder |
DE3780181T2 (en) | 1986-02-07 | 1993-02-25 | Canon Kk | IMAGE RECORDING METHOD. |
US5220346A (en) * | 1992-02-03 | 1993-06-15 | Xerox Corporation | Printing processes with microwave drying |
GB9204903D0 (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 1992-04-22 | Ici Plc | Compounds |
-
1992
- 1992-05-29 JP JP13917192A patent/JPH05331394A/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-05-27 US US08/067,850 patent/US6252617B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-05-28 EP EP19930108684 patent/EP0572032B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-05-28 DE DE69304793T patent/DE69304793T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-05-28 AT AT93108684T patent/ATE142947T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS55126462A (en) * | 1979-03-23 | 1980-09-30 | Canon Inc | Recording head |
JPS56155263A (en) * | 1980-05-06 | 1981-12-01 | Canon Inc | Recording liquid |
EP0428730A1 (en) * | 1989-02-28 | 1991-05-29 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet head having heat-generating resistor constituted of non-monocrystalline substance containing iridium, tantalum and aluminum, and ink jet device equipped with said head |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
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PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 4, no. 179 (M-46) (661) 11 December 1980 & JP-A-55 126 462 (CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA) 30 September 1980 * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 6, no. 40 (C-094) 12 March 1982 & JP-A-56 155 263 (CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA) 1 December 1981 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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ATE142947T1 (en) | 1996-10-15 |
EP0572032A3 (en) | 1994-03-23 |
DE69304793T2 (en) | 1997-02-20 |
EP0572032B1 (en) | 1996-09-18 |
JPH05331394A (en) | 1993-12-14 |
US6252617B1 (en) | 2001-06-26 |
DE69304793D1 (en) | 1996-10-24 |
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